Pursuing a career in microbiology is a rewarding career option today, where candidates get training to study microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Additionally, they learn how these microorganisms improve human health, develop new treatments and drugs, and interact with the environment.
In India, students must earn a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and follow it up with a master’s or doctoral degree for advanced training and skills. However, just like pursuing any other field of study, the question that hovers in every student’s mind is about the career prospects in this field. They might ask questions like, are there good jobs after the completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree? Does the salary commensurate with education in this field? To help you get answers to these questions, we have compiled this comprehensive guide that talks about microbiology career scope and its varying aspects.
Where do microbiologists work?
Apart from studying microorganisms, candidates pursuing their studies are considered job-ready by those companies that emphasize analytical, scientific, and problem-solving skills. Here are the positions where people get work after completing their studies in microbiology.
- Research associate
As a research associate, a candidate provides technical support to teams to ensure successful completion of projects. Besides, they conduct experiments based on what their seniors delegate or collect samples of microorganisms for study and research.
- Microbiologist
Microbiologists study details of the infection-causing microorganisms within the laboratory and document their observations. Furthermore, they conduct in-depth probes about the characteristics of these organisms and learn to detect how they cause diseases, deal with prevention techniques, and determine the treatments available.
- Food technologist
Making a career in microbiology also helps students get placement as food technologists. The primary role they play is to ensure that food production adheres to laws, is safe for consumption, and is made keeping in mind quality standards.
- Medical laboratory technologist
A medical laboratory technologist is a type of healthcare professional who examines the body fluids of humans to choose the best treatment. They conduct tests and experiments in the laboratory to determine the medical status of patients. Apart from this, they also take charge of maintaining the laboratory equipment.
- Pharmacologist
Pharmacologists are responsible for developing and testing drugs to determine their safety and efficacy. They might attain expertise in a specific group of medications for humans or animals or work in laboratories during clinical trials to test the effectiveness of drugs and study their side effects.
- Clinical research coordinators
The candidates working here are responsible for handling clinical studies that are related to the benefits, nature, and drawbacks of medicines.
- Ecologists
After completing a course in microbiology, one can work as an ecologist, create reports, and make recommendations about things that impact plant and animal life.
Jobs for microbiologists in the government sector
Microbiologists are engaged in a vast range of responsibilities associated with microbes. Based on their field of specialization, here are the types of jobs they can explore in the government sector:
- Medial microbiologists
They are primarily responsible for studying microbes that cause diseases and their treatment.
- Veterinary microbiologist
They contribute to improving the health of animals based on the identification of pathogens and develop strategies for the prevention of diseases.
- Industrial microbiologist
They focus on how microbes can be used for the development of products that benefit human beings.
- Consultant microbiologist
They provide recommendations and guide organizations seeking advice on several matters related to microbiology.
- QC microbiologist
They conduct microbiological tests and analyses to ensure the safety of products.
- Virologist
For those studying microbiology, the opportunities to work in the public sector are pretty diverse, where candidates apply their expertise to safeguard the health of human beings and animals.
Salaries and experience
Salaries in the public sector are expected to rise with skills and expertise. Here are the salaries and how they match the experience:
- Candidates with 1–5 years of experience: annual salary up to three lakhs
- Candidates with 6–10 years of experience have an annual salary of up to 6 lakhs
- Candidates with 10+ years of experience: annual salary up to Rs. 11 lakhs
As far as a career in microbiology is concerned, individuals with a bachelor’s degree will expect to have a lower salary range when compared to those with a master’s degree.
Jobs for microbiologists in the private sector
Several private industries in India offer jobs to candidates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in microbiology. Here they go:
- Microbiology technician
The job of a microbiology technician is to conduct microbiological tests on different samples, prepare and analyze cultures for the identification of microorganisms, and operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
- Medical microbiologist
The medical microbiologist identifies the best treatments for specific infectious diseases and continues monitoring patients afterwards.
- Quality control technicians
The quality control technicians assure the quality of products through day-to-day operations by evaluating supplies of raw materials and also ensuring compliance with the best goods manufacturing practices.
Salaries
- The average salary of a microbiology technician: 1.9 lakhs
- The average salary of a quality control technician: 2.7 lakhs
- The average salary of a medical microbiologist: 3.3 lakhs
- The average salary of research associates: 4.0 lakhs
Candidates with a BSc in Microbiology may earn around 2 lakhs to 10 lakhs in India. On the other hand, candidates with an MSc in Microbiology may earn around 3 lakhs to 5 lakhs initially, which may go up to 15 lakhs at the senior level.
Top employers for Microbiology
The top employers offering jobs to students pursuing microbiology are:
- Cipla
- Biocon
- Dr. Reddy’s
- Sun Pharmaceuticals
- The Himalaya Drug Company
- Micron Technology
- Aurobindo Pharma
- Johnson & Johnson
- GSK
Other career options
Apart from the ones mentioned here, individuals pursuing their studies in Microbiology may also work in the following positions:
- Bacteriologist
- Mycologist
- Geneticist
- Biotechnologist
- Protozoologist
- Cell Biologist
- Immunologist
- Environmental Microbiologist
- Biochemist
- Biomedical
Microbiology is one of the most sought-after subjects taught in various academic institutions. After completing graduation in this field, graduates may start working as research associates and in various other advanced positions. Not only in India, but students seek multiple career options abroad as well. Are you keen to participating in microbiology workshops? Navigate to Decode DNA for onsite workshops today.